DVDs

Enigma

Region 1

Region 4

By Richard Moore

If you are in the mood for a good old-fashioned espionage drama then you've picked the right DVD to watch.

For Enigma is one of those first-rate British movies that combine class, a good story and faultless acting and gives you an absorbing time in front of the screen.

It centres on a group of British codebreakers during World War II whose sole existence at the Bletchley Park intelligence station is to keep cracking German codes.

The main character is a maths genius called Tom Jericho (Dougray Scott) who has a brilliant, but brittle mind, and has just returned to duty after having a breakdown over a failed romance with war floozie Claire (Saffron Burrows).

Mind you, his return is perfect timing because the Germans have suddenly changed an important aspect of their code and the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend brings unwanted attention and pressure on Jericho from the security heavy Wigram (Jeremy Northam).

Paranoia grips all and Jericho, together with the switched-on clerk Hester (Kate Winslet), takes it upon himself to try to figure out what has happened to Claire and how her disappearance fits into the larger intelligence war.

Enigma is a deliberately paced drama that keeps you absorbed with its characters, their interaction and trying to work out whodunnit.

It is beautifully filmed and spiced up by the fact that unless the boffins manage to crack the German code quickly then the largest Atlantic convoy filled with war material for the Allies will run smack into the the largest U-Boat wolf pack the enemy can send at them.

Scott is superb as the man on the edge Jericho and his achingly obvious self-doubts are relieved by the confident and eager Winslet. I know she was meant to look like a frumpy office worker but with those eyes and face there can be no doubting her on-screen appeal.

Burrows is the brazen hussy of the piece and her platinum blonde hair definitely ruins her looks.

Northam is coldly determined and while many won't like the character of Wigram I thought he was terrific.

The transfer is excellent.

Conclusion:

Movie: 85%

DVD Extras: 65%